If I'm lucky, I can manage to visit three times a year. Most years, it's twice or less. And I'd much rather spend our time together out shopping and getting pedicures.
I really do hope for some suggestions, and not just because I'm lazy. Rough tools make for rough work, and I'd like to keep my mom's hobby in the realm of "hobby" and not edge it ever closer to "labor".
buy heavy-duty tools, hand and long, but remember older people have different needs, lighter is better, I like the expandable ones, I have a hoe I am almost in love with, it can be sharpened, is narrow and extends to full size, is light weight, and can be made shorter, I bought a full set: rake & scratcher-thingy, also pruner, and hedge clipper etc. thru' Big Lots [hey, why spend a huge amount of $$ when ya don't have to], I have a short shovel I prefer to my long heavy-[emphasis on heavy] duty one. A potato fork is really handy because it takes a lot of the heavy work out of removing rooty plants and small trees, buy really good quality hand tools, especially a trowel whose blade extends thru' the handle [they break easily], if you can afford it get a kneeler, they are awesome. Welcome to your mom to the BIG GREEN ADDICTION.
Lighter is better, there are also these soft-grip arthritic handles that I have to get when purchasing stuff for my mom & gram. Even if she's not old, crusty and arthritic now, she will be someday!
One of my biggest complains with garden tools is that trowels always bend or break, and those kneeler things are TOTALLY awesome, or knee pads. Those buckets or all-in-one garden supply kits that you haul around with all your tools are amazing too, less trips for older people to travel (or lazy people like me).
yup, even if she's hale and healthy today someday you'll need to get her lighter and easier stuff to use, I know you are looking for brand names here, but I'd shop around and ask questions at home stores from a clerk who actually knows something. I'd suggest Lowe's or Home Depot.
Depending on your mother's health, you might consider giving her ergonomic tools that they make for the older gardener. I have carpal tunnel and I discovered that I did much better with tools with ergonomic handles that made for much easier gripping.
There are two kinds of tool to watch for. Well-built ones, and ergonomic ones. Usually, the latter are also the former. Some tools, you don't need either, and some tools you absolutely have to have one way or the other
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Thanks for the tip about ergonomic usually being better-constructed. With that and the advice from mommyspike, I'll at least know where to start looking.
I believe her current tools came with her house, and have spent at least five years sitting in the garage. So they were basically not good enough to go with the last owners, spent half a decade collecting dust before anyone even looked them over, and are now being used into pieces. Hopefully some shiny new ones with some care instructions and some careful shaming of the stepdad will inspire better results.
The way I usually shop is to go online with a specific product in mind, look over the reviews, then find the nearest retail outlet that sells it (or a better one, depending on what the reviews say) so I don't have to wait.
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I really do hope for some suggestions, and not just because I'm lazy. Rough tools make for rough work, and I'd like to keep my mom's hobby in the realm of "hobby" and not edge it ever closer to "labor".
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I had to learn the hard way how to keep my tools nicely oiled and sharpened =)
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One of my biggest complains with garden tools is that trowels always bend or break, and those kneeler things are TOTALLY awesome, or knee pads. Those buckets or all-in-one garden supply kits that you haul around with all your tools are amazing too, less trips for older people to travel (or lazy people like me).
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I believe her current tools came with her house, and have spent at least five years sitting in the garage. So they were basically not good enough to go with the last owners, spent half a decade collecting dust before anyone even looked them over, and are now being used into pieces. Hopefully some shiny new ones with some care instructions and some careful shaming of the stepdad will inspire better results.
The way I usually shop is to go online with a specific product in mind, look over the reviews, then find the nearest retail outlet that sells it (or a better one, depending on what the reviews say) so I don't have to wait.
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